Clean Eatz to open next week on Racine Drive

Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6:08 p.m.

Look in the mirror … that's your competition

You aren't going to get the butt you want by sitting on the one you have

If you still look cute at the end of your workout, you didn't train hard enough

These slogans and scores of other similar mantras cover most of the available wall space in Don Varady and Evonne White's new restaurant. As you can probably guess, they are not a deep-fried or butter-poached kind of operation.

What they are, however, is one of very few fitness-first eateries in the Wilmington area. Clean Eatz features a menu built of items under 500 calories and 10 grams of fat, but Varady stresses that they're happy to create on the fly for any specific diet needs from gluten free to paleo and everything in between. “The demographic is all over the place,” says Varady. “There's something here for everyone.”

While they aren't printed on the menu (see it online at http://www.cleaneatz.net/index.cfm?page=1487), White says she's even worked up Weight Watchers points for everything, and is happy to help anyone following that popular program. They also offer a packaged meal service, with prices starting at $35 for five meals.

The couple, who ran a restaurant called Lo Cal Cafe in the St. Louis area, had hoped to relocate to Florida, but the hunt for real estate was a bust. The pair are avid bodybuilding and fitness competitors, and during a chance conversation with industry icon Jen Hendershott at the Arnold Classic, they were left with advice that changed their plans completely. “She said ‘Wilmington. Go to Wilmington,'” recalls White.

Don't be shocked to see well-muscled Goliaths, bodies broken from an intense workout, staggering across the street for a Wasabi Crab Wrap. In a beautiful stroke of serendipity, Clean Eatz, is located within crawling distance of a perfect customer base. Scouring the internet for a possible location, they stumbled across a Craigslist ad for the cafe space, and decided to make the 16-hour drive to scout the location out, having no idea Gold's Gym is located just doors down at 200 Racine Dr. “We stayed at the Hampton Inn, worked out at Gold's the next day and came over to sign the deal here,” says White.

Clean Eatz is slated to open next Tuesday in the former Picasso's Café at 203 Racine Drive (the Blue Moon Gift Shops plaza). It's on Facebook, or you can call (910) 452.3733 to place orders. The website is Cleaneatz.net.

<p><i>Look in the mirror … that's your competition</p><p>You aren't going to get the butt you want by sitting on the one you have</p><p>If you still look cute at the end of your workout, you didn't train hard enough</i></p><p>These slogans and scores of other similar mantras cover most of the available wall space in Don Varady and Evonne White's new restaurant. As you can probably guess, they are not a deep-fried or butter-poached kind of operation.</p><p>What they are, however, is one of very few fitness-first eateries in the Wilmington area. Clean Eatz features a menu built of items under 500 calories and 10 grams of fat, but Varady stresses that they're happy to create on the fly for any specific diet needs from gluten free to paleo and everything in between. “The demographic is all over the place,” says Varady. “There's something here for everyone.”</p><p>While they aren't printed on the menu (see it online at http://www.cleaneatz.net/index.cfm?page=1487), White says she's even worked up Weight Watchers points for everything, and is happy to help anyone following that popular program. They also offer a packaged meal service, with prices starting at $35 for five meals.</p><p>The couple, who ran a restaurant called Lo Cal Cafe in the St. Louis area, had hoped to relocate to Florida, but the hunt for real estate was a bust. The pair are avid bodybuilding and fitness competitors, and during a chance conversation with industry icon Jen Hendershott at the Arnold Classic, they were left with advice that changed their plans completely. “She said 'Wilmington. Go to Wilmington,'” recalls White.</p><p>Don't be shocked to see well-muscled Goliaths, bodies broken from an intense workout, staggering across the street for a Wasabi Crab Wrap. In a beautiful stroke of serendipity, Clean Eatz, is located within crawling distance of a perfect customer base. Scouring the internet for a possible location, they stumbled across a Craigslist ad for the cafe space, and decided to make the 16-hour drive to scout the location out, having no idea Gold's Gym is located just doors down at 200 Racine Dr. “We stayed at the Hampton Inn, worked out at Gold's the next day and came over to sign the deal here,” says White.</p><p>Clean Eatz is slated to open next Tuesday in the former Picasso's Café at 203 Racine Drive (the Blue Moon Gift Shops plaza). It's on <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/facebook"><b>Facebook</b></a>, or you can call (910) 452.3733 to place orders. The website is <a href=http://www.cleaneatz.net/>Cleaneatz.net</a>.</p>